Rakhi - Raksha Bandhan Festival

Raksha Bandhan, popularly known as the festival of Rakhi is a festival which celebrates the bond between brothers and sisters which has been observed by Hindus for years. The literal meaning of Raksha Bandhan is 'the bond of Protection'.

Rakhi is celebrated on the full moon day of the month of Shravan by Hindu calendar. This day is known as Shravan Poornima. On this day, sister ties Rakhi or holy thread on the wrist of her brother. It signifies the pure bond between brother and sister. The brother in response presents a souvenir to his sister and swears to take care of her. The brother and sister customarily feed one another sweets.

Rakhi celebrations have been strengthening the link of affection between brothers and sisters and nurturing brotherhood in our society. Raksha Bandhan is not just celebrated between brother and sister of blood relation. Rakhi can be tied to a person who protects the girl and accepts her as his sister. History has umpteen examples of women requesting for their defense, through Rakhi, from men who were neither their brothers, nor Hindus.


History of Raksha Bandhan

In Hindu religion, there are a lot of references to the worth of the Rakhi festival. Some of these vital historical facts are:

Vritra-Indra

The derivation of this celebration is more often than not traced back to the past incidents of Lord Indra's fight with the Demon Vritra. In this fight, Indra lost. After that, his wife tied a thread or Rakhi around Indra's wrist and that gave him power and courage to defeat the demon. The Rakhi hence indicated godly powers to ensure victory or success. Hence, the tradition of Rakhi (now only by sisters) to make the bearer successful and strong. In return, the sister gets protection from them in times of difficulty.


Krishna and Draupadi

A different event is the one from the epic Mahabharat that is in relation to Lord Krishna and Draupadi, the spouse of the Pandavas. She had torn a band of silk off her sari and tied it around Krishna's index finger to discontinue the run of blood. Krishna was so moved by her deed that he felt a bond of love for her. He assured to pay back the liability and after that spent the subsequent 25 years doing just that. Draupadi, in the face of being wedded to 5 grand warriors and being a descendant of an influential emperor trusted and depended entirely on Krishna.
Krishna paid off the debt of love at the stage of "Vastra-Haran"(factually "clothing-theft") of Draupadi. Draupadi's "Vastra-Haran" was done in the congregation of King Dhritarashtra, while Yudhishthir, her husband lost her in a stake. At that time Krishna for an indefinite period extended her saree, so it could not be aloof, to keep her dignity. This is how he paid his debt towards rakhi tied to him by Draupadi. Thus, Raksha Bandhan was of great significance in the epic Mahabharta.


King Bali and Goddess Laxmi

In accordance to a fable the devil King Bali was a great follower of Lord Vishnu. Lord Vishnu had undertaken the task to watch his kingdom leaving his own dwelling in Vaikunth. Deity Lakshmi desired to be with her lord back in her dwelling. She went to Bali concealed as a Brahmin woman to look for shelter until her husband came back.
On the day of Shravan Purnima celebrations, Lakshmi tied the blessed thread or Rakhi to the King. And later when she was asked she exposed who she was and why she was there. The king felt warmth by her benevolence for his family and her reason and requested the Lord to go along with her. He gave up all he had for the Lord and his dedicated spouse.
In consequence, the occasion of Raksh Bandhan is too called 'Baleva' that is Bali Raja's loyalty to the Lord. It is believed that since that day it has been custom to request sisters in Shravan Purnima, to tie the thread or Rakhi.


Yama and the Yamuna

In accordance to another tale, Raksha Bandhan was a ceremony observed by Lord Yama (the god of Death) and his sister Yamuna. Yamuna tied rakhi to Yama and conferred immortality. Yama was immensely touched by the calmness of the time that he acknowledged that whoever gets a rakhi tied from his sister and pledged her safety will become eternal.


Alexander and the great-Puru

In accordance to a number of tales, Alexander, the emperor of Greece marched into India in 326 B.C. He wedded an Indian lady, Roxana (Roshanak) to strengthen his relations with the Central Asian regions. Alexander's wife sent a sacred thread or Rakhi to Porus, asking him not to hurt her husband in the skirmish. In compliance with Hindu civilization, Porus gave full admiration to the rakhi. On the battleground, when Porus was about to carry a final blow to Alexander, he saw the rakhi on his wrist and self-possessed himself from attacking Alexander in person.


Rani Karnawati and Emperor Humayun

It is a very popular incident which shows the significance of Rakhi very well. The tale of Rani Karnavati and monarch Humayun is the most major indication in the history. At some stage in the medieval era, Rajputs were fighting Muslim attacks. Rakhi or Raksha Bandhan at that time meant a holy binding and defense of sisters was primary. When Rani Karnawati the widowed queen of the king of Chittor comprehended that she could in no way protect from the assault of the Sultan of Gujarat, Bahadur Shah, she sent a rakhi or holy thread to Emperor Humayun. The ruler was moved by the gesture and moved on with his troops devoid of wasting any time.


Celebration of Raksha Bandhan in India

Rakhi is an age old ritual which has evolved with the time. For a very long time now, Raksha Bandhan is being celebrated in the similar approach. Each and every one of the rituals is followed with the same eagerness. The major change is that the events have become grander now. Rakhi festival is about the merriment of the pure bond of love among the siblings.

This festival is a symbol of joy and rejoices as one and all start preparing for this carnival beforehand. Females start to shop for rakhi and rakhi gifts relatively early on. They buy new clothes and striking rakhi gifts particularly those that have to be sent to their brothers who stay away. More or less every shop, be it for sweets, garments or gifts.

This festival of Raksha Bandhan, in India, is renowned for its festival spirit and for intensification of the bond of love among brothers and sisters. In actual fact, India is worldwide known for its bright festivals and colorful rituals. The festival of Raksha Bandhan is observed with diverse rituals, family meet and sweets. Rakhi festival is about feelings, love and pleasure. Similar to any other celebration, rakhi has its one of its kind significance.

On the day of Rakhi festival, the celebration of this promising day starts on by the crack of dawn. First people get ready and gather for worship to take the blessings of God. After that the sister performs brother's arti, puts tika and chawal on his brow and ties Rakhi surrounded by chanting of mantras. Sisters sincerely give sweets to their brothers to eat which in order add more lovability in the Raksha Bandhan festivity and pray for their well being. In response, brothers present striking gifts.

This festival of Raksha Bandhan is observed as different festivals in different regions. These festivals which are observed across nation are mentioned below.

Rakhi Purnima

Rakhi or Raksha Bandhan is celebrated as Rakhi Purnima in North and South India. The word "Purnima" means a full moon night. It is in addition called as Raksha Bandhan.


Nariyal Purnima

Raksha Bandhan is celebrated as Nariyal Purnima in western India and parts of Maharashtra, Gujarat, and Goa. On this day a present of a coconut is made to the ocean, as a symbol of admiration to Lord Varuna, the deity of the Sea. Nariyal Purnima marks the commencement of the fishing period and the fishermen, who depend on the sea for livelihood, make a present to Lord Varuna so that they can garner plentiful fish from the sea.


Janyo Punyo

The community of the Kumaon region of Uttarakhand, commemorate Raksha Bandhan and Janopunyu on the day of Shravan Purnima. On this day people change their sacred thread. On this day the well-known Bagwal fiesta is held at Devidhura in the region of Champawat.


Pavitropana

Raksha Bandhan or the festival of Rakhi is celebrated as Pavitroparna in parts of Gujarat. On this day people carry out the grand worship of Lord Shiva. It is the conclusion of the prayers done all over the year.

The occasion of Rakhi celebrations are similar as in all across North India. It is a festival of great significance in the regions of North India. The significance of this festival is mentioned below.


Significance of Raksha Bandhan

Raksha Bandhan is at the present well thought-out as a day to rejoice the blessed relation of a brother and a sister. Nevertheless there have been instances in the past where rakhi has just been a Raksha or shield symbol. It could be tied by spouse, a daughter or mother. The saints used to tie the Rakhi tied to their followers who come to them for blessings. The learned tied the sacred thread or Rakhi to themselves to defend them from the vice.

In many scriptures, this day was also better known as the 'Papa Todak' or Punya Pradayak Parva' or the day that bequeaths boons and finish all sins.

Until that time, Rakhi festival takes in the tenderness shared amid the siblings but at the present it goes way further than it. A number of people knot Rakhi to neighbors and close friends suggestive of a passive co-existence of each individual.

Raksha Bandhan was first made famous by Rabindranath Tagore to uphold the sentiment of agreement and pledge to all members of culture to guard each other and support a harmonious communal life.

In present state of affairs, Rakhi has a diverse point of view. The instance involves a promise of life-time practice of ethical, civilizing and religious values. The values and the emotions attached to the rites of this event are worth inculcating by the entire humankind, the sentiments of harmony and peaceful coexistence. The festival of Raksha Bandhan or Rakhi is about all forms of guard, of uprightness and destructive force of all transgression. The ceremony of Rakhi tying has turn out to be so momentous that come what may, brothers and sisters try to call each other place on this day in turn to fetch back the oneness of the people, binding the family as one in a poignant link of love.


Gifts on Raksha Bandhan

Raksha Bandhan fiesta is the mainly expected festival for the sisters. As on this very day they expect loads of gifts from their brothers. This day is marked by lot of shopping for girls. Though Rakhi is an old festival still it is celebrated in a very contemporary way. Many shops present special gifts for the occasion of Rakhi. These gifts dot the merriment of warmth and love of the sibling relationship.
In this affectionate ritual of love and fondness amid brothers and sisters, exchange of rakhi gifts is of great significance. These gifts are the token of love from the brother's end. It is believed that if such gifts are kept safe for the lifetime then the bonding remain strong. These gifts also help in cherishing the sweet memories by the siblings.

Various gifts given on the occasion of Raksha Bandhan are Apparels, Fashion Jewelry, Leather Bags & Wallets and Soft Toys. Greeting Cards have become the latest trend on the festival of Rakhi. Some other gifts are Household Utility Items, Decorative Items, Books, Cakes and Chocolates.


Raksha Bandhan 2010

In the year 2010, the festival of Raksha Bandhan is on Tuesday, August 24, 2010. It is the day of full moon in the month of Shravan.